Linear equations
Equations with x on both sides, brackets and word problems.
Learn with Kutty
Go one screen at a time. Press Next when you are ready. Tap 🔊 Read to me to listen.
Keep the balance: do the same to both sides until x is alone.
Look: x is on both pans. Take 2x off each side to keep it balanced.
✏️ Your turn!
Type your answer and press Check. Kutty will tell you if it is right.
17x − 4 = 3x + 12
22(x − 5) = x + 1
3Three numbers in a row add to 72. The smallest?
! Careful!
✗Changing just one side.
✓Always do it to both sides.
✗−4(x − 1) = −4x − 4.
✓Minus times minus is plus: −4x + 4.
See the whole lesson on one page
Keep the balance: do the same to both sides until x is alone.
If x is on both sides, first move all the x’s to one side and the numbers to the other. Then share.
Think of it like thisIf both pans have 2 identical bags, lift a bag off each side. Still balanced, and simpler!
Solved together
Solve 5x − 3 = 2x + 9.
Take 2x from both sides.
3x − 3 = 9Add 3 to both sides.
3x = 12Divide both sides by 3.
x = 4Check: 5(4) − 3 = 17 and 2(4) + 9 = 17. ✓
Answerx = 4.
For older learners and grown-ups: a little more
With fractions, multiply every term by the LCM of the denominators first: (x + 3)/4 − (x − 1)/3 = 1 → 3(x + 3) − 4(x − 1) = 12 → x = 1.
Now practise it
Kanakku makes new questions on linear equations every time. It shows the working and gives a hint when you are stuck.